Content

An understanding of early curriculum theory and its implementation is essential for the early childhood professional. The emergence of Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework of Australia has given a new stimulus for examining early childhood curriculum. There are many different organizational and cultural contexts of early childhood and these differ also according to the age range of service provision. Current models of curriculum exist in early childhood centres in Australia and these will be reviewed critically. Students need to understand and apply the principles of curriculum development. As a reflective and critical practitioner they need to be able to make provision for the children in many diverse cultures of multicultural Australia. In addition, there are many contemporary curriculum issues that are important considerations for curriculum design, including attachment theory, the primary caregiver concept and circle of security, continuity in curriculum design, early childhood pedagogies, and assessing developmental learning outcomes, supporting the culture of the home and establishing supportive, respectful and responsive relationships in work with children, families and communities.